Imagine dedicating your entire career to an organization, only to be left financially stranded in retirement. That’s the harsh reality for over 2,500 retirees of the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), who are being denied annual pension increases while their peers enjoy full benefits. But here's where it gets controversial: PAA’s management is accused of not only creating unfair pension categories but also allegedly hiding reports that debunk their claims of 'excess payments.'
The PAA, operating under a unified structure, has inexplicably divided its retired workforce into four distinct categories, each facing different pension realities. And this is the part most people miss: While some retirees receive consistent pension increases, others are left in financial limbo, struggling to make ends meet. According to Express News, this disparity has pushed many retirees into destitution over the past five years.
Here’s the breakdown of the pension categories:
Category 1: Retirees before June 30, 2014, receive all pension increases regularly until 2025.
Category 2: Approximately 2,280 employees who retired between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2022, are denied increases for 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Category 3: 309 retirees from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, received increases for 2022 and 2023 but are excluded from 2024 and 2025.
Category 4: Those retiring between July 1, 2023, and June 2025 received the 2023 increase but are left out for 2024 and 2025.
What’s even more baffling is the PAA management’s inconsistent stance. The same administration that once labeled pension increases from 2011 to 2019 as 'excess payments' has now approved increases for 2011 and 2015. Yet, they continue to claim that increases for 2016 to 2019 are excessive for Category 2 retirees. Here’s the burning question: If the 2011 and 2015 increases are valid, why are the subsequent years deemed excessive for the same group?
Retired PAA officer Haseeb-ur-Rehman took this issue to the Senate of Pakistan, prompting a full inquiry. Despite the opportunity to present evidence, PAA officials failed to prove that the 2016-2019 increases were indeed excessive. Shockingly, the report clearing these retirees of any wrongdoing is allegedly being withheld from both the PAA Board and the Senate.
Adding to the controversy, a three-member committee led by the aviation secretary found no evidence of excess payments. Yet, this report, too, remains hidden from the PAA Board. Under the 2014 regulations, all retirees should be treated equally, regardless of their retirement date. The management’s claim that post-July 2014 retirees are ineligible for increases is legally unfounded.
Retirees like Haseeb-ur-Rehman and Afzal are demanding transparency, urging the PAA to release the inquiry reports. They argue that these employees, who worked tirelessly—even during major holidays—to ensure the institution’s success and profitability, deserve fair treatment. When approached for comment, the PAA spokesperson stated that pension increases are granted in line with federal rules and service regulations. They added that a proposal to address the issue is pending board approval.
But here’s the real question for you: Is it fair for retirees who dedicated their lives to the PAA to be treated so unevenly? And why is the management allegedly hiding reports that could resolve this issue? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation about fairness and accountability.
